Evaluation and strengthening of early warning systems in countries affected by the 26 December 2004 tsunami: report

This report presents an initiative which objective was to provide an overall integrated framework for strengthening early warning systems in the Indian Ocean region by building on the existing systems and to facilitate coordination among various specialized and technical institutions. The project has been highly relevant to the mandate of the UNISDR of advocating disaster risk reduction within the Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters and the work of the Platform for the Promotion of Early Warning (PPEW), one of the thematic platforms of the ISDR system.

The project contributed to maximizing effectiveness of inputs and resources by providing strategic direction for the implementation and monitoring of the project activities and avoiding overlaps between the implementing agencies. It was the first time that the UNISDR secretariat provided overall coordination to a project under the UN Flash Appeal which was not necessarily focusing exclusively on humanitarian assistance. Nevertheless, the integrated approach and coordination proved to be effective.

The project has created an enabling environment for coordination and partnership-building necessary for the development of “end-to-end” and “people-centred” early warning systems in the Indian Ocean region. However, the project activities are only the first step for establishing fully-fledged tsunami early warning systems within a multi-hazard framework. Strong political commitment of the Indian Ocean countries as well as substantial financial and technical supports from the international community are crucial to achieve this goal in the long term.